For those looking to eschew their traditional Starbucks order, Journey Coffee Co offers a local taste of artisanal coffee. Journey Coffee Co’s newest location is at 370 Chadbourne Rd in Fairfield, near the Busch Campus Park.

The coffee shop was first established as a coffee truck at the Vacaville Premium Outlets and later expanded to brick and mortar locations in Vacaville and now, Fairfield.

Journey Coffee Co describes itself as “third wave coffee,” a designation that includes an appreciation of each process of harvesting, processing, and brewing of the coffee served. This attention to the coffee making process can be seen in Journey Coffee Co’s soon-to-open in-house roasting and baking facility. In addition, Journey Coffee Co’s donates a portion of its profits to the local community.

With that being said, the coffee served at Journey Coffee Co is full bodied, robust and crisply acidic. The Nitro Cold Brew I ordered was quickly prepared and excellently crafted. On the Wednesday morning that I visited, the coffee shop was moderately busy, as Phase 2 and 3 of the expansion had yet to be completed. The space was well lit and, while small, included ample space indoors and outdoors to work and chat.

Journey Coffee Co’s offerings also include cold pressed juices and a variety of pastries and lunch foods. In terms of pricing, Journey Coffee Co mirrors the likes of Peet’s and Starbucks, with coffee gravitating around the $3 and $5 mark.

Popular menu items include the lemon loaf, champagne salad, and breakfast wrap. The shop’s menu includes traditional cappuccinos and espressos, with the addition of specialties such as the tonic espresso, bulletproof with MCT oil, and chai latte.

While the location is situated further from Armijo than other coffee shops, it is worth the visit if you pass by or have the morning to spare. If you are seeking an local experience with coffee and food prepared with high attention to quality, Journey Coffee Co is the place to be.